The Chynoweths and I met up on what was frankly a bit of a dreary spring day here in Whitefish this spring. While it was a bit on the chilly side for this family visiting from Florida we were able to successfully able to dodge any serious raindrops and get some lovely photos where they were staying at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, as well as the Holbrook Overlook off of Big Mountain Road.
The Fischer's eldest daughter lives in the area and had the pleasure of being visited by her parents, sister, and niece. They so rarely get the opportunity to all be in the same area at once it seemed like the perfect opportunity to knock out some family photos. It happened to be during a stretch of extremely rainy and cloudy weather this past spring in Montana, and the possibility of having to move the timing of the session around loomed all morning and afternoon. Thankfully though, we stuck to our original plans and were blessed with almost perfect weather for our evening time slot.
They were staying in one of the rental properties near The Lodge at Whitefish Lake which provided us a nice variety of photo backdrops to choose from including the trails in Viking Creek Preserve, Whitefish Lake, and Whitefish Mountain Resort.
The theme of this spring here in Montana has been wild swings in weather, but it seemed to work with Morgan and Ben's wedding day schedule anyhow. Rain threatened all day, and there was considerable cloud cover throughout. However just as Morgan began walking down the aisle for the ceremony the sun broke through the clouds and hung around throughout the ceremony. Then as we were wrapping up wedding party photos, the clouds opened up and showered us in a downpour with small hail. We sprinted back to the pavilion at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake and enjoyed a beautiful reception.
Venue, Lodging, & Catering: The Lodge at Whitefish Lake / Bakery: Montana Wildflour / DJ: Sidecar Audio / Florals: Pure Happiness Wedding Flowers / Rentals & Decor: Celebrate Event & Party Rentals
I've said it before and I'll probably say it evermore, but it takes a hearty, self-assured couple to choose a Fall wedding in Northwest Montana. I firmly believe it is the most beautiful time of year here, but is also the time with the most fickle weather imaginable. And it will often be cold and rainy.
That was certainly the case for Dakota and Quinn at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake this November. The reception and accompanying dance party were naturally held in one of the ballrooms, and there was a secondary ceremony location set up in another ballroom as a plan B, but these snowboarding enthusiasts had no intention of holding the ceremony inside. Plan A was the only option for these two, out on the pavilion platform with Whitefish Lake in the background. I only call out the snowboarding detail because these two were my third couple this year who snowboard, and went full-send on holding the ceremony outside no matter the weather. And I am here for it.
Venue and Catering: The Lodge at Whitefish Lake / Planning, Coordination, and Florals: Hawthorne House / Bakery: Bakes and Cakes by Brie / DJ: Sidecar Audio / Photobooth: Pixelated Gigs / Videography: Treasure State Entertainment / Second Photographer: Porsche Jean Photography
Montana's Fall weather is rivaled only by Spring weather in terms of unpredictability. What you can bet on, is it will be either beautiful, or sloppy (whether that means cold, rainy, snowing, or all of the above.) Emily and Kyle were blessed with the latter, without the snow. It rained a good majority of the evening but gave us enough of a break for some lovely portraits before the wedding after a first look on the dock.
Venue & Catering: The Lodge at Whitefish Lake / Bakery: Ephemera Confection / Couture: The White Dress / DJ: Sidecar Audio / Florals: Elevate Amenities / Rentals & Decor: Celebrate Event & Party Rentals
It's always such an honor and pleasure photographing these intimate weddings. When the wedding is simply the couple, their families, and their absolute closest friends it's humbling to be included as a relative 'outsider.' Jennifer and Chase at the Lodge were no exception. The vibe of the day was "love and let's party" and that is what everyone did.
It was all the more awesome working with some of my absolute favorite vendors here in the valley kept in line by my friend Katie with Big Day Celebrations.
Venue & Catering: The Lodge at Whitefish Lake / Wedding Design: Big Day Celebrations / Bakery: Montana Wildflour / DJ: Sidecar Audio / Hair & Makeup: Covet Beauty / Florals: Conrad Floral / Rentals & Decor: Empress Tents & Events / Videographer: Treasure State Entertainment
Sara contacted me about some extended-family family portraits while they were all spending some time here in Whitefish at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake. However, her request was a little out of the ordinary in that she insisted they wouldn't need my normal two-hour coverage time because they were all seasoned picture takers because after all, she is a photographer herself! I'll admit I was a little skeptical about really being able to get all the photos I like to get of such a large group in an abbreviated amount of time, but they nailed it, and were in fact all absolute pros at getting their pictures taken.
Spent a lovely evening with the Cisnado family at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake for a quick family portrait session this week. Mom just wanted some photos while they were vacationing here in Whitefish, and the boys and dad didn't want to make too much of a fuss about it. So I simply met them where they were staying and used the wonderful view available just steps from the back of The Lodge. Just more proof that family photos don't need to be stressful, or overly fussy, so don't let that discourage you if that's what is preventing you from getting family portraits taken, here or anywhere else.
While I myself did not take the plunge, from the look on the faces of everyone who did, there is no better way to end a hot summer wedding with tons of dancing than ending the night in a lake. Wedding attire and all.
This has been a theme this summer, but with the majority of my couples this summer they themselves, and so many of their guests are what I would call "my people." The "people" I'm referring to are art school graduates. Illustrators, Photographers, Dancers, Musicians, you name it. And it just feels like the people I spent so much time with in college when I was pursuing a BFA in graphic design. And it just feels right.
This wedding had everything from the requisite copious amounts of love to interpretive dance, to songs written specifically for the couple. And the aforementioned plunge into Whitefish Lake to cap it all off.
Venue & Catering: The Lodge at Whitefish Lake / DJ: Sidecar Audio / Couture: Wtoo by Watters & Indochino / Florist: Elevate Amenities / Bakery: Miss Patti Cakes / Jewelry: Armbruster & Princess Jewelry / Rentals & Decor: Celebrate Event & Party Rental
Another beautiful—if hot—summer day at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake for an intimate wedding. Natalia & Ben were having a lovely small wedding with their families and closest friends and enjoyed an absolutely amazing evening on the shore of Whitefish Lake. I didn't stay too far into the dance party however as they opted to spend their budgeted time on an adventure portrait session in Glacier a couple of days after the wedding. The results of which you'll see in the next blog post.
Oftentimes at The Lodge, the couple can take a quick ride around the lake in a vintage 'woody' boat The Lodge keeps. Unfortunately, it had stopped functioning literally minutes before we were to hop on for some photos. Natalia and Ben took it in stride, however, and we simply took photos in it there at the dock. Serving as a reminder of one of my best tips for enjoying your wedding day plans. Things are unlikely to go exactly as planned, just roll with it as best as you can, and everything will turn out.
Venue & Catering: The Lodge at Whitefish Lake / Bakery: Fleur Bakeshop / Florist: Mum's Flowers / DJ: V-Team DJs / Couture: David's Bridal
